FRIDAY'S SCORES
Morehead State 8, Northern Kentucky 6
SIUE 2, Loyola (Ill.) 0
SIUE 7, Providence 0
Morehead State 8, Drexel 5
Austin Peay 4, Miami (Ohio) 3
South Dakota 5,
UT Martin 2
UT Martin 6, Niagara 1
Jacksonville State 9, Alabama A&M 1
Jacksonville State 7, Alabama A&M 1
Saint Louis 6,
Tennessee State 0
Tennessee State 10, Alabama State 0 (6)
Tennessee Tech 4, Maine 1
Fordham 6,
Tennessee Tech 0
MOREHEAD STATE 8, NORTHERN KENTUCKY 6; MOREHEAD STATE 8, DREXEL 5
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Morehead State softball team swept day one of the Holiday Inn Camel Stampede Tournament Friday by picking up victories over Northern Kentucky, 8-6, and Drexel, 8-5.
MSU improved to 5-5 on the season, while Northern Kentucky fell to 4-11 and Drexel slipped to 5-11.
In the opener, senior Adrena Anderson led the Eagles with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate and three RBI. Seniors Elizabeth Wagner and Sam Woodall and junior McKenna Bartko registered multi-hit games as well.
Junior pitcher Kelcey McMurray put in 4.2 innings of work to pick up the victory for MSU. She allowed three earned runs and struck out five in the contest. McMurray is now 1-1 on the season after her fifth appearance. Emily Schwaeble (0-6) allowed seven runs to be saddled with the loss.
Senior Sam Woodall got the scoring started in the third inning via a double to right field that scored fellow senior Anna Sommer. She made her way around the bases off a single to right from Anderson, and the inning concluded with a sacrifice bunt from junior Stephanie Etter to plate Anderson.
It only took a single swing of the bat for the Norse to get themselves back in the game in their half of the inning. Sophomore right fielder Katelyn Roy hit a three-run shot over the left field fence to even the score.
The Eagles re-gained the lead again with four runs off three hits in the fourth frame. Junior McKenna Bartko picked up her first RBI of the season, and Anderson added two to her total. A bases-loaded walk gave the Eagles a 7-3 lead.
The Eagles tacked on another run in the top of the fifth when Bartko doubled in Sommer. NKU closed the gap with three in the bottom of the sixth, but McMurray vanquished the Norse in the seventh with no more runs allowed.
In the second contest, Ashbrook's stat sheet reflected a 3-for-4 line with an RBI. Etter also drove in a pair.
Junior pitcher Greta Smeins picked up her first victory with the Eagles, while McMurray (2.2) and senior Katie Pfost (2.1) also saw action in the circle. Shelby Taylor (3-6) surrendered six earned runs in the first four and took the loss.
Despite Drexel’s early run in the first inning, the Eagles picked up a single run in the first and added a trio of tallies in the second. That included Ashbrook’s team-leading 10th RBI of the season.
The Eagles tacked on two more in the fourth via a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly from Etter. DU cut the gap by scoring two in the top of the fifth to make it 6-3.
MSU added two insurance runs in the fifth when freshman Tressa Watson pinch hit and delivered a shot over the left field fence for her first career home run. Drexel trimmed it to 8-5 in the seventh but Pfost coaxed a double play flyout to end the game.
SIUE 2, LOYOLA (Ill.) 0; SIUE 7, PROVIDENCE 0
CLEARWATER, Fla. - SIUE pitched two shutouts to start the USF Under Armour Classic Friday with wins over Loyola (Ill.) and Providence at the Eddie Moore Complex.
The Cougars improved to 9-6 overall with a 2-0 win over Loyola on a three-hitter by freshman Haley Chambers to start the day. SIUE followed that up with a 7-0 triumph over Providence behind a four-hitter by Erin Greenwalt.
SIUE continues play at the USF Classic with two games Saturday. The Cougars play Maine at 1:30 p.m. CT and Temple at 3:45 p.m. CT.
SIUE's pitching led the way with the second and third shutouts of the season. All three of SIUE's starting pitchers now have shutouts.
In game one, Chambers retired the first seven batters she faced and later had a streak of 10 straight batters retired. It was her fourth victory of the season as she struck out two Loyola batters.
The offense picked up four hits against Loyola, 6-6. The Cougars and the Ramblers were deadlocked at 0-0 until the bottom of the fifth when SIUE scored twice off Loyola's Ashley Rogers.
SIUE's Taylor Tooley picked up an infield hit with two outs and then moved into scoring position by stealing second. She scored on a single to left field by Chelsea Yankolovich who advanced to second on the throw home. Rebecca Gray gave the Cougars extra cushion with an RBI single up the middle that scored Yankolovich.
In the Providence game, Greenwalt never allowed more than one hit in an inning and lowered her season earned run average to 1.56. Greenwalt struck out four and walked one.
The Cougars collected 10 hits against the Friars, 5-9.
Tooley led the Cougars with three hits and scored three runs. She scored the eventual game-winning run in the third inning on an RBI single by Yankolovich.
Tooley said she is seeing the ball better now than she was at the beginning of the season.
Samantha Stanicek put SIUE ahead 3-0 in the fifth with her second home run of the season, a two-run blast that again scored Tooley.
SIUE rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh against Providence starter Emily O'Keefe. Rachel Coonrod's pinch-hit, two-run double highlighted the inning.
AUSTIN PEAY 4, MIAMI (OHIO) 3
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Austin Peay’s Mel Pavel came through with a clutch two-out hit in the top of the eighth inning -- Friday morning at the University of Louisville Red and Black Classic -- then applied the game-ending tag at the plate, as the Lady Govs defeated Miami (Ohio), 4-3.
Pavel’s single into left-center field scored Kayla Davidson, who had gotten into scoring position for Austin Peay (6-3) at second base when Laurel Burroughs was tagged out in a rundown.
Miami (Ohio) would threaten to tie – if not win the game – in the bottom of the inning by getting the tying run to third base and the winning run to second, with no one out.
But de Castro (4-1) – who pitched out of jams in the third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings, got a groundout for the first out and then induced a fly ball into short center field, that was caught by Jessica Ryan, who threw out the potential run at the plate for the game-ending double play.
Miami (Ohio) scored twice in the bottom of the second inning – aided by two Austin Peay errors -- to jump out to a lead.
Austin Peay would cut into the Red Hawks (2-9) margin with a single run in the top of the fourth inning, with de Castro ripping a double down the right field line, which was followed by a run-scoring single by Davidson.
The double by de Castro was the only extra-base hit in the game by either team.
The Lady Govs would take its first lead of the game in the top of the fifth, scoring twice on a throwing error after Shelby Norton, Marissa Lake and Ryan all singled to load the bases.
The Red Hawks would tie the game for the final time, 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Austin Peay will continue play in the Classic on Saturday, as they play Illinois State, at 11 a.m., followed by an afternoon contest against the host school Louisville, at 4 p.m.
The classic concludes on Sunday.
JACKSONVILLE STATE 9, ALABAMA A&M 1; JACKSONVILLE STATE 7, ALABAMA A&M 1
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Senior Krystal Ruth had six hits and sophomore Savannah Sloan drove in four runs in a doubleheader sweep for the Jacksonville State softball team on Friday, when the Gamecocks handed Alabama A&M a 9-1 loss in the opener and a 7-1 defeat in the nightcap.
Ruth, a native of Wylie, Texas, went 6-for-10 in the twinbill, leading a Gamecocks (13-9) offense that amassed 24 hits and posted a .381 team average in the two wins over the Bulldogs. Sloan, a Reynolds, Ga., native, went 5-for-10 in her plate appearances and drove in two runs in each game.
Four Gamecocks recorded multiple hits in the first game, with seniors Krystal Ruth and Jessica Guy and sophomore Savannah Sloan each going 3-for-5. Freshman Ella Denes doubled, homered and walked in her 2-for-3 game.
The Gamecocks got a quick run in the opening game, thanks to a leadoff triple from Ruth and a sacrifice fly to deep center from Sara Borders. They got three more in the second to stretch the lead to 4-0. A leadoff walk to Cadi Oliver set up an RBI double from freshman Ella Denes and an RBI single by Jessica Guy. Ruth, who also singled in the frame, scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
Denes put the next run on the board, too. The Pisgah, Ala., native drove a 2-2 pitch from Cassandra Brown deep over the wall in right center to lead off the top of the fourth. The first home run of the freshman's career put the Gamecocks up 5-0.
Junior Tiffany Harbin started the game by issuing a leadoff walk to Brianna Ziegler but didn't have any trouble with the strike zone from that point. She tossed three scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing just one walk. After the four-pitch walk to start her outing, the Hazel Green, Ala., native found the strike zone on 32 of her next 39 pitches and left the game with her team holding that 5-0 lead.
Junior Savanna Hennings came on to pitch the fourth and gave up an unearned run on a two-out single from Jasmine James. She got out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth with a strike out of Anisa Britt, and then the Gamecocks tacked on some insurance in the sixth.
Sloan's third single of the game was a big one for the Gamecocks. Her one-out drive to right center plated a pair of runs and gave JSU a 7-1 advantage. It tacked on another on a Bulldog fielding miscue in the sixth before Ruth scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to make it 9-1.
Hennings (1-0) finished the game and got the win for the Gamecocks, allowing an unearned run on seven hits in four innings of work. She struck out three and issued one walk.
Cassandra Brown suffered the loss for AAMU, surrendering eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits in six innings in the circle. Zeigler led the Bulldogs at the plate with a 3-for-3 effort.
Sloan got thing started for JSU in the second game by lacing a two-out single to center that plated Ruth, who led off the game with a single, and give the Gamecocks a quick 1-0 lead. They grabbed two more in the second, the first on an error that allowed Borders to score and the next on a bases loaded walk to Cara Longworth that put JSU up 3-0.
Two more crossed to make it 5-0 in the fourth, thanks to a Kalee Tabor RBI single and another run-scoring single from Sloan. Tabor drove in another in the fifth, this time by taking a pitch off her helmet with the bases loaded.
Senior Hilary Phillips (3-0) tossed the first four innings for JSU and kept the Bulldogs off of the scoreboard. The Ider, Ala., native did walk three and struck out three, while allowing three hits to earn the win. Freshman Casey Akenberger came on in relief to start the fifth and issued a leadoff single and three-straight walks to put the Bulldogs on the board.
Anisa Britt suffered the loss for the Bulldogs after giving up six runs, five earned, on 11 hits in 4.2 innings in the circle. Meaghan Gray tossed the final 2.1 innings, allowing a run on one hit and a pair of walks.
Akenberger notched her second save of the season, holding the Bulldogs to a run on two hits in three full innings of relief.
TENNESSEE TECH 10, ALABAMA STATE 0; FORDHAM 6, TENNESSEE TECH
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Freshman Hannah Weaver earned her first win as a Golden Eagle as Tech (8-8) defeated Maine 4-1 in the first part of a twin bill at the USF Under Armour Showcase. The newcomer had pitched a total of 3.2 innings prior to her first complete game, with an ERA of 9.82, but held the America East opponent to just one run in seven innings.
Weaver (1-1) pitched a great game, giving up one unearned run in the third inning, and finishing the game with eight hits, giving up two hits in just one frame and never facing more than four batters in one inning. The Golden Eagle defense rallied behind its freshman, collecting 21 putouts, with short stop Hannah Eldridge collecting a career high five assists.
The Tech bats connected with eight balls to score four runs, two unearned off of two Black Bear errors. Senior Chanelle Spalding knocked an extra base shot in the sixth; marking her first double of the season, after finishing the 2012 campaign second on the team with seven doubles.
Maine was the first to light up the scoreboard, when Stephanie Wood scored from second base on a Tech fielding error. The Golden Eagles responded immediately as Tech's leadoff hitters, Melody Christian and Eldridge placed singles to put two batters in scoring position. Madison Taylor sent Christian home at the plate, followed by Eldridge when Taylor was caught stealing second.
Tech scored its third run in the fourth, thanks to another single by Christian up the third base line to send Brittney Spalding home. Tech's final and winning run came in style in the bottom of the fourth inning. Spalding's double sent her to second before freshman Cortney Fry provided Spalding with the perfect opportunity to score.
Christian went 3-for-3 at the plate, while Chanelle Spalding had a team high 11 putouts. Eaver struck out one batter, facing 29 batters.
The Golden Eagles slipped against Fordham, as sophomore Taylor Ketchum (5-2) took the loss. Ketchum threw 34 strikes in 55 pitches, but the Rams connected with five balls, including one home run, two doubles and a single before Claudia Harke inherited the circle. Harke threw a tough five innings, giving up two runs, but the Golden Eagle offense never made it past third.
Junior Kendall Hooper went 2-for-4, while five other batters collected a hit.
Tech returns to the dirt Saturday at 3:45 p.m. against Long Island University Brooklyn before a night cap against Temple at 6 p.m.
TENNESSEE STATE 10 ALABAMA STATE 0; FORDHAM 6, TENNESSEE STATE 0
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee State used a run-rule victory over Alabama State to earn a split on the first day of the Tiger Invitational. The Tigers defeated the Hornets 10-0 in six innings after getting shutout by Saint Louis, 6-0. TSU is now 6-12 on the season, while SLU improved to 5-7 and ASU dropped to 1-17.
In game two, the Tigers jumped out quickly as Jennifer Givens and Kiarra Freeman picked up singles and moved around to score on a sacrifice fly by Audrey Sensing and a wild pitch, respectively. TSU added to their 2-0 lead with a run in the second inning. After Lindsey Burgess collected her sixth double of the season, Ashley Haynes singled to right field to allow Burgess to cross home plate.
TSU put some distance between themselves and ASU in the fourth inning with four runs. Burgess started the scoring with a triple to right center to plate Brianna Roberts. The Tigers then followed with a single run on three consecutive batters. Kacie Daughtery started the run with an RBI single to center and was followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Shann’da Hamer. Kate Morris closed out the sequence with an RBI single to centerfield to extend the lead to 7-0.
Kate Morris put an end to the night in the bottom of the sixth with a towering three-run home run to centerfield for the 10-0 victory. The blast was the second dinger of the season for Morris.
Shea Morris (4-6) picked up the win as she recorded her second shutout of the season. Morris was masterful as she threw 59 strikes in 73 total pitches on her way to 11 strikeouts. The Hornets could only manage two hits off of the sophomore pitcher.
In the first game, Olivia Gamache (2-6) went the distance scattering seven hits allowing just one earned run. TSU ran into trouble with three errors in the first inning giving up two runs. The lone SLU earned run came in the top of the seventh inning to extend the lead to 3-0. Another Tigers miscue allowed the Billikens to add three more runs for the final score. Gamache tied her career high of six strikeouts.
Freeman finished the day with four hits in six at bats and a walk. Kate Morris was 3-for-7 with four RBI, while Burgess stroked a double and a triple.
SOUTH DAKOTA 5, UT MARTIN 2; UT MARTIN 6, NIAGARA 1
ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team looked to improve in their final appearance of the Rebel Spring Games before returning home for the grit of the schedule. What head coach Donley Canary had hoped to see came to fruition as the Skyhawks split the final day and wrapped up the road trip with a 7-1 slate.
South Dakota 5 – UT Martin 2
Despite outhitting the Coyotes eight to five, the Skyhawks weren’t able to overcome the first two innings of the game, falling to South Dakota 5-2.
The top of the first saw South Dakota take an early 2-0 lead as Katie Dinning ignited the Coyote offense. Yvon Minogue double, plating one before Dinning scored on an RBI single by Morgan Hancock.
The Skyhawks didn’t stay down long, responding with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first when sophomore Kenzi Tate deposited her fifth home run over the fence, scoring Kayla Wade.
USD tacked on the winning run in the top of the second as Lindsey Boyd singled to left and eventually scoring on a passed ball to gain the 3-2 advantage, a lead that would not be relinquished as the Coyotes added two more runs in the fifth.
Freshman Autumn Glenn provided a bright spot in relief as the young right-hander pitched two perfect innings in the circle, holding South Dakota hitless and walking none.
UT Martin 6 – Niagara 1
One of the major developments out of the Rebel Spring Games has been the emergence of freshman Jessie Britt on the base-paths and into the starting lineup as Britt went 2-for-2, sparking the Skyhawks to a 6-1 victory over Niagara.
UT Martin relied on the arm of Tate (8-1, 3.31 ERA) as the young gun allowed just one run and four hits in seven innings of work. Tate struck out three while allowing only three walks on the afternoon.
After Niagara added one in the first, senior Becca Williams responded in the top of the second with an RBI single into center, scoring Tate.
The lead stayed on the Skyhawks’ side after a four-run outburst in the top of the fifth, plating four. Stephanie Nidiffer started the fireworks with a double to right before Sam McClure scored on an RBI double by Britt. Speedster Wade drilled a triple into right field which plated Britt and Kelsey Dixon. Sophomore Lauren Smith added the final run with a single up the middle scoring Wade.
The Skyhawks registered the final run of the day in the top of the seventh inning as Tate drove in Leah Taylor with a sacrifice fly.